Polish higher-education law sets the academic year from 1 October through 30 September of the following year. It is divided into winter and summer semesters, each with about 15 weeks of teaching, with holiday and between-semester breaks in between.
The 1 October start dates to regulations introduced in the Austrian Empire in the 19th century to mark the beginning of the winter half-year. Universities in Polish territories adopted the system, which has remained in place.
The academic year formally opens on 1 October, although classes usually begin on the first Monday of the month. Universities hold opening ceremonies during the first week, attended by administrators, lecturers and students.
The schedule allows admissions, entrance examinations and resits to finish over the summer, leaving time to welcome new students and arrange accommodation. The winter semester ends before or just after the Christmas break, while the summer semester typically finishes in June or July, leaving students around two months of summer holiday.